Noh Ironogi Spotting Scopes

Scope Ministries

Bible - Aspects of Christian Leadership, Ministry and Mission

 

Here we present a short outline of some of the critical concerns in the Pastoral Ministry. Based on and illustrated by 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus we can see that there are several points to consider. The two initial elements are really holding to sound doctrine and practical outworking but we can examine these in six main points before looking at the practical outworking in Paul's life.

Paul outlines the main concerns:

1) Staying Power

Timothy 1:3 shows this staying power. This is emphasized famously in 2 Timothy 2:1 with the illustration of a soldier, athlete and a farmer. Also Paul emphasizes stewardship in 1 Timothy 1:18. Spiritual nourishment is also another aspect of staying power 1 Timothy 4:6. The principle of maintaining a heavenly hope is another aspect i.e. living as sojourners here on Earth and finally the principle of maintaining Biblical motives and goals.

2) False Teachers and Their Teaching

This is the second critical concern of pastoral ministry and can be shown by the challenges faced by Timothy by false teachers and their teachings. There were false teachers creeping into the church at Ephesus - this was the challenge as faced by Timothy as shown in 1 Timothy 1:3. Paul divided their doctrine into : a) strange or hetero doctrine e.g. deviating from Biblical standards in content, nature, scope or aim Titus 1:9 b) myths, consisting of endless genealogies - again part of man's endless philosophical and religious speculations. In the present time we also face versions of the problem that faced Timothy. We see the rise of cults with false, heretical, mythological and fad like teachings. People are mixing these ideas with Scripture. These things happen when we fail to accept and to adhere to the Bible as a guide, as we should if we follow 2 Timothy 1:13. Also the misuse of the Bible through poor study habits, training and exegesis or a failure to relate our teaching to God's design Titus 1:5, moral failure ot hypocrisy, spiritual carelessness and giving in to external pressure. In fact we can say that this is a very current problem in the church as it absorbs external influences - see the current state of the Church of England in this regard. The cure to the problem is to recognize the Bible as our final authority and submit our lives completely to God's plan in our everyday life.

3) Understanding and Pursuing Biblical Goals

This is the third critical concern - avoiding futile human speculations for example 2 Timothy 3:7. The importance of love is here apparent with a good conscience and sincere faith with a pure heart

4) Failing to Aim Carefully

This is the fourth critical concern and is based on 1 Timothy 1:6 ' some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion'. This is a close relative to point three above and is based on Christ's words "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:33

5) Impure Motives

People should not peddle the Word of God for personal gain 2 Corinthians 2:17. Also we should avoid covetousness 1 Timothy 6:5 and 10. A discussion of impure motives can be based around 1 Timothy 1:7 'they desire to be teachers of the law' - the impure motive of the false teachers are revealed. Desiring (in Greek thelontes) literally means to 'turn aside from' showing the problem of ego and impure motives. There is in itself nothing wrong with wanting to be a teacher of the law but it depends on your motivation to do so i.e. do you covet money, position, power, prestige - like Simon the Sorcerer (Acts or Gehazi 2 Kings 5. If we operate in this way it is going directly against God - covetousness for position, possessions, fame etc are all very negative and impure motives. Jesus himself craved none of these things and He is our example. Paul tried to help with the advice set out in 1 Timothy 4:15 where he says ' pay close attention to yourself' and then 'to your teaching'. This means we should focus on Biblical standards as a guide for our own motivation. We should be aware we are not motivated by appearance, status, performance or gain. Impure motives are also a problem in that they lead to other issues such as a laid out in the critical concerns essay in this series.

6) Little or no understanding of the Word

The sixth critical concern of pastoral ministry is based on 1 Timothy 1:7 ' but they do not understand what they are saying or the things that they insist on so confidently'. This is a problem in the church today where some teachings may be shallow. More study is one antidote but we shall return to this in more detail. This occurs basically when people misconstrue Scripture, using it for their own ends, they are both adding to and misrepresenting it. Paul is aware of the problem as 1 Timothy 1:7 shows. The cure is to base teaching very closely on the Biblical text. We must basically hold to the Word and not let outside influences effect the teaching. Effective pastoral ministry means we must accurately study the Bible first with a view to one's own life and then with a view of ministering the powerful truth to others. As John Stott says in his book ' Between Two Worlds' 'the best teachers in any filed of knowledge are those who remain students all their lives' Paul himself emphasizes this is 1 Timothy 4:15 'take pains with these things, be absorbed in them so that your progress may be evident to all'.

This brings to a wider debate about why we study theology. The apostle Paul's emphasis in the pastorals for social doctrine shows his concern for theology. It also matters to Jesus ! John 17:17 'Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word in truth'. Also it is a fact as the study notes suggest that we all have an existing theology of life anyway and for that reason it is vital to have the correct Bible based, Christ centered theology. Little or no understanding of the Word means bringing in non Biblical elements, being distracted, false theology, claiming we are too busy to study and not adhering to Scripture and the study of Scripture.

The benefits and dangers of knowledge.

Here are some of the benefits of knowing God's truth: First Biblical knowledge gives direction in life. Jeremiah 10:23 is a good example of this but in a wider context the Bible is the guidebook for our lives. Secondly Biblical knowledge gives substance to one's faith. We have to ask ourselves what backs up our faith if NOT the Bible. My favorite passage on faith is Mark 11:22. Thirdly and very importantly in the current chaotic world Biblical knowledge gives stability under pressure - we should know we have a hope that transcends this life. Hope can give stability Romans 5:1, 15:4

Fourthly Biblical knowledge gives us the ability to handle the World accurately and this is closely linked to a fifth point that Biblical knowledge equips us to detect and confront error. Sixth Biblical knowledge gives confidence to one's daily walk with God - Colossians 2:2 we can find ' full assurance which understanding gives' Finally Biblical knowledge filters out our fears and superstitions and I can personally testify to that!

On the other hand there are also four dangers of knowledge: 1) Knowledge can be dangerous when it lacks intelligent Biblical support. It is easy to quote wrongly for example and this can lead to dogmatism. 2) Also knowledge can be dangerous when it becomes an end in itself or to impress people. 3) Knowledge is also dangerous when not balanced with love and grace - leading to an intolerant spirit. 4) Finally knowledge can be dangerous when it remains theoretical and not mixed with action Colossians 1:9. These then are the principal benefits and dangers of knowledge. Let us now consider aspects of Mission example from the Bible:

Mission and Missionaries

Acts 13:1-4 reveals many essential aspects of mission to us. The first feature is that 1) God's guidance came to those who were actively engaged in ministry Acts 13:2. I suppose this means that if we wish to know God's will we could begin by doing what He has commanded in his Word.

2) God's guidance was revealed, in part, through the ministry in which they were already engaged - it was an extension of what they had been doing Acts 13:2.

3) Thirdly God's guidance extended the ministry of those who were doing their present ministry well - God promotes those who are already doing well at what HE gave them to do - we can see this in Matthew 25:14-30. Also God's guidance was not only individual, but it also came about through the church. God's guidance for Barnabas and Saul came to the church and through the church. This is interesting when we consider our own mission and source of mission.

5) Fifth, God's guidance was only for the NEXT STEP, not for the entire future. God knows the entire future but may give it to us a piece at a time. God gave guidance in Barnabas and Saul's mission at key points like their splitting into two teams Acts 15;36-41 and when they reach Mysia Acts 16:6-10. Also we can comment here ion the financial aspects of the mission. Paul did accept support from others but RARELY and only from Philippi. Paul supported himself often by his craft. This makes us think deeply about the financial support for our own missions Acts 20:33-35. Thus many traditional missionaries may be rejected these days but 'tentmaker' missionaries with other useful skills may be accepted more.

Before we continue and show further aspects of their actual mission on Cyprus there are a few other lessons we can learn from the setting aside of Barnabas and Saul. It should be noted in Acts 13:1-4 that there was a PLURALITY of gifted teachers in the church at Antioch - the church was not dependent on any one man. This paves the way for real church growth. We should also note the diversity of the leaders in the church at Antioch. They seemed to be a good racial, cultural and socio-economic mixture of people involved in the church. We could apply this to our modern churches. Our unity in the midst of diversity demonstrates the power of the Gospel (Ephesians 2:11-11).

On Cyprus

In the incident with Elymas Paul rises to the occasion. Here we have the change of name Acts 13:9 and Luke's indication that Paul was 'filled with the Holy Spirit' v.9. Elymas had tried to keep the proconsul Sergius Paulus ignorant of the message of Barnabas and Saul but in the end he actually becomes an instrument by which God brings the proconsul to faith. 'Then when the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he was greatly astounded at the teaching about the Lord Acts 13:12. Let us now move on to Acts 13:13. 'Then Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem'. Paul is now the perceived leader of this team. It may be that we can see that Barnabas did not grasp for the leadership he once had.

John the Baptist saw his pre-eminence come and go John 3:30 and even Jesus did not keep a grasp on this Philippians 2:3-8. This has implications for our own mission. If someone comes along, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we should not seek to stand in their way. It is here also that Barnabas and Paul split up over John Mark. In overall conclusion the sending out of Barnabas and Saul is the start of a new era in carrying out the Great Commission as the Gospel is now headed for ' the furthest parts of the earth' Acts 1:8. We can learn much from looking at the facets of their being sent out by the Holy Spirit via the church.

Perhaps a final important point is that in Acts 13 Luke is deliberate in his avoidance of the spectacular aspects of His role in thrusting forth the missionary movement. Acts 12 was far more spectacular BUT the results of Acts 13 are in the end spectacular as the Gospel goes to the gentiles. We are. therefore, not to gauge the significance of a life or a ministry by its spectacularity. Another example would be Elijah, where God actually completes his work through less spectacular followers. This is very important when we consider our own mission and ministry - it is not the pomp and circumstance and spectacular aspects of our church that are important but the solid, stable long-term and widespread results. The saving of a single soul is of huge importance to the Lord as well as the spread of the Gospel on a world wide basis.

Dr Simon Harding

www.biblon.com

About the Author

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